We have your career covered

Your skills and reputation are building, making it more important than ever to have insurance that protects and supports you.

Despite being indemnified by your employer, this may not be all you need. This cover can be restricted and may not protect you in every circumstance. With an experienced insurer like MIGA behind you, you can feel comfortable knowing you'll have access to independent advice and representation in the event of a complaint, allegation or other unfamiliar situation

It costs less than you think

It's surprisingly inexpensive to protect your career, reputation and future earning capacity with MIGA. If you’re in your second postgraduate year, the great news is it’s free. Even while you’re in training, the most you will pay for insurance protection is just $60*.

Apply online quickly & easily

It only takes a few minutes, with confirmation sent straight to your inbox.
Have your Medical Board registration number ready to make the process easy.

Defending you in disputes relating to harassment, contract issues, termination of employment and more.

Training program disputes

Protecting you against discrimination, harassment and other issues relating to your training.

Coronial inquiries & criminal investigations

Guiding and assisting you throughout the entire inquiry or investigation process.

Provision of unpaid healthcare

Cover for Good Samaritan Acts or volunteering at a sporting or charitable event.

Supportive & understanding approach to claims management

Our expert team will always look after you, providing advice and keeping you informed throughout the process.

Additional benefits of insuring with MIGA

24/7 medico-legal support & advice

Access to advice from our expert medico-legal team, not only in the event of a claim, but every day for free medico-legal advice on any matter big or small. This includes access to an after-hours service for situations where you require emergency medico-legal advice.

Risk management education & resources

Bi-monthly Bulletins and specialised email communications incorporating tailored resources, as well as access to our industry leading Risk Management Program, to assist your practise and career journey.

Personal support when you have a claim

Our Practitioners’ Support Service provides access to both peer and professional support to help you deal with the personal and emotional issues that can arise during a claim.

Making the transition into private practice is exciting and rewarding, but can also prove to be overwhelming and costly.

At MIGA we understand the challenges you may face, and have developed our Starting in Private Practice Package to make the transition as straightforward as possible.

We offer generous premium discounts for your first six years, and when you commence in private practice for the first time between 30 June 2017 and 30 June 2018 you can also earn 50,000 bonus Qantas Points1.

To help you understand the types of situations where you may require the assistance of your insurer, we’ve developed short case studies based on real life examples. These cases highlight the value – financially and emotionally – of having MIGA’s legal team to support you, both for complex claims and everyday advice.

Scenario

The doctor was working in the emergency department of a public hospital. A patient on the methadone program presented unwell after experiencing a reaction to administered drugs. Unsure of how to proceed, the doctor rang the patient’s usual GP. He was informed that the patient was in breach of parole conditions and may also be at risk of harm to himself and others.

Assistance from MIGA

Distressed by his conversation with the GP, the doctor was unsure whether he needed to report the patient to the police. He contacted MIGA’s 24/7 emergency advice line in the early hours of the morning and was told there was no obligation to contact the police about the patient’s presentation. The doctor was instead advised to consider a psychiatric review of the patient, along with any other necessary clinical inputs, to determine whether the patient could be released from the ED department once the presenting condition had stabilised.

Outcome

The timely advice received from MIGA enabled the doctor to treat the patient appropriately without the fear of being drawn into a claim or incurring legal expenses in the future.

Scenario

A registrar in a public hospital was responsible for the delivery of a term baby. Although expected to be routine, the delivery quickly went downhill and the registrar contacted his supervising obstetrician. Despite the best efforts of the registrar, he was unable to convince the obstetrician to come into the hospital to assist with the difficult instrumental delivery.

The events surrounding the delivery were subsequently investigated by the hospital, with criticisms of the registrar posed by the obstetrician.

Assistance from MIGA

MIGA and its panel solicitors assisted the registrar in responding to the issues for investigation, and were there to support the registrar throughout the interview process. This experience is unfamiliar for most doctors and can be extremely stressful without the help and guidance of an experienced legal team.

Outcome

The investigation made no adverse findings against the registrar, with only the obstetrician disciplined for their actions. Had the doctor not been insured with MIGA, they would have had to fund their own legal expenses of at least $2,500.

Scenario

A hospital doctor became caught up in a coronial investigation, employment dispute (termination of contract) and Medical Board investigation following the death of a patient in ICU. What ensued at the hospital was a very acrimonious dispute, with some aspects even receiving media attention. Various staff held strong views about the patient’s management, and long standing ‘issues’ between staff added to the dispute.

Assistance from MIGA

The doctor received extensive support from MIGA and our panel solicitors. The case carried over a period of nearly three years, and during this time the doctor was thankful to be able to access medical and peer support through MIGA’s Practitioners’ Support Service.

Outcome

With the assistance of MIGA, the doctor was ultimately vindicated. He was exonerated in the Coroner’s Court, reinstated to his position at the hospital and received a very minimal, inconsequential finding from the Medical Board.

Over the three year period, legal expenses totalled more than $850,000. Without his insurance cover with MIGA, the doctor would have been unable to afford the same level of legal expertise, which may have resulted in a significantly different outcome.

*Based on the Category of cover - "Salaried Medical Officer in Training". Total cost is as at April 2017 and includes all statutory charges. Costs are based on working in South Australia and will be lower for doctors working in other states.^MIGA client survey of hospital doctors undertaken in December 2014.

1. 50,000 bonus Qantas Points offer only available to registered Australian medical practitioners, who are commencing private practice for the first time, or are transferring to MIGA from another insurer's first time in private practice arrangement and first insure with MIGA under MIGA's Starting out in Private Practice Package for cover attaching between 30 June 2017 and 30 June 2018. MIGA Terms and Conditions for bonus Qantas Points for Starting out in Private Practice are available at: www.miga.com.au/qantas-bonus-tc-sipp.

Insurance policies are issued by Medical Insurance Australia Pty Ltd. MIGA has not taken into account your personal objectives or situation. Before you make any decisions about our policies, please review the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (which can be found here) and consider your own needs.